Switch



Feb. 9, 1937. R. w, LOWELL SWITCH Filed June 3, 1955 l//f//l/f f//f/f//f Inventor Patented Feb. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application June 3,

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in switches particularly for automobiles, but it is to be understood, of course, that a switch constructed in accordance with the present invention may be used for any purpose for which it may be adapted and desirable.

An important object of the present invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a key operated main or master switch for controlling the ow of electric current from the usual storage battery of an automobile.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a switch of the character described comprising novel means for automatically securing said switch in closed position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a switch of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the. foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through a switch constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the invention the cover of the switch casing being removed.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in section, taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a casing I of any suitable size and material, preferably porcelain. As illustrated to advantage in Figure 1 of the drawing, the casing I includes a removable top or cover 2 which is secured in position through the medium of screws 3.

Journaled in the casing I is a shaft Il which is actuated through the medium of a lock 5 at one end of said shaft, said lock 5 receiving a removable key 6. Fixed on the shaft 4 is a disk which is designated generally by the reference numeral l.

The disk 1 includes a pair of connected segments 8 of current conducting material having formed therein substantially V-shaped grooves 9. Between the segments 8 are segments I0 of non- 55 conducting material.

1935, Serial No. 24,721

Mounted on the end walls of the casing I are substantially U-shaped resilient contacts Il to which the conductor wires I2 are connected. The substantially U-shaped contacts II straddle the disk 1 on opposite sides of the shaft 4 and have fixed thereon substantially V-shaped ribs I3 which are adapted to ride on the opposite faces of the disk 'I and seat in the substantially correspondingly shaped grooves 9 (see Figures 2 and 3).

It is believed that the operation of the switch will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. With the disk 'I in the position shown in Figure l of the drawing, the switch is closed, the current iiowing from one of the contacts II, through the connected segments 8 to the other of said contacts II. The engagement of the ribs I3 in the grooves 9 will prevent movement of the disk 'I due to vibration or jolts, as when the automobile is in motion. To open the switch, the disk 'l is rotated to bring the nonconducting segments i0 into engagement with the contacts Il, thus disconnecting the contacts II electrically. Of course, rotation of the disk 1 is accomplished by inserting the. key 6 in the lock 5. In addition to retaining the switch in closed position, the ribs I3, when they seat in the grooves 9, clearly indicate when the disk 'l has been rotated to the desired position for closing the switch.

It is believed that the many advantages of a switch constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:-

A switch of the class described comprising a casing, a shaft journaled in said casing, a disk fixed on said shaft, said disk including a pair of connected segments of current conducting material having substantially U-shaped grooves therein, said disk further including a pair of segments of non-conducting material between the rst-named segments, a pair of substantially U-shaped, resilient contacts mounted 4in the casing and straddling the disk, and substantially V- shaped ribs on the end portions of said contacts slidably engaged with the opposite faces of the disk and engageable in the grooves.

READ W. LOWELL.

may., 

